Carpenter&#39;s tool



oct. 29, 1929. w. vCHALMERS Er AL 1,733,775

cARPENTERs 'rooL Filed May l0. 1926 n N www E n n@ r @6? ,m MZ ,f W?

Patented Get. 29, 1929 CARPENTERS TOOL Application filed May 10,

Our invention relates generally to carpenters tools and more specifically to a mortise gauge designed to facilitate the accurate cutting of mortise recesses, as in the edges ofV 5 doors, for the setting of mortise locksand the like.

While, as hereinafter more particularly set forth, our invention is particularly adapted for carpenter work, in the cutting of mortise recesses, it is to be understood that it is not necessarily restricted to this particular field, and may be adapted to many other uses where applicable.

In carpentering it is common practice to lirst fit and hang doors and then fit the locks into proper place manually cutting the necessary mortise recesses, on the job. Particularly in the construction of large buildings,

lsuch as oflice buildings, hotels and the like,

where there are a great many doors, of subl dlcated by line 8 3 ofAFlg. 1

stantially the same size and thickness, to be iitted and hung, fitting of the locks can be greatly facilitated and more accurately done with the aid of our improved gauge.

Broadly considered, our tool comprises a main frame or base plate, provided with clamp means for removably holding it in j .to Fig. 5, the numeral l() designates a fragproper position on the edge of a door, and a pair of transversely movable gauge plates, arranged for independent adjustment yrelative to the base plate and to each other, which define the length and width of the mortise recess. The inner adjacent edges of the gauge plates are preferably straight to serve a's guides for the tool along the grain of the wood, which, as is well known, runs lengthwise of a door.

The gauge yplates are mounted independently adjustable in a lateral direction, both with reference to the base plate and to each other, in order that they may be set to define mortise recesses of different widths and in different positions relative to opposite faces of different width doors.

5 Scales are provided on the base plate and also upon the gauge plates; on the former to aid in setting the gauge plates; to define mortise recesses of different widths and their positions with reference to the faces of the doors of different thicknesses, and on the lat- 1926. Serial No. 107,889.

ter to facilitate in cutting thev recesses of proper length.

Anotherfeature of our gauge is the manner in which it israrranged to be secured to the door edge during the cutting kof the recess. It thus not only serves as a guide for the work, but by clamping against opposite faces of the doors it prevents accident-al splitting of the wood adjacent' the recess'being cut. Y

Further vdetails of vthe manner of constructing and using our tool are set forth in the -following specification, reference being Vmade therein to the accompanying drawings,

wherein we have illustrated the preferred specific embodiment of our invention.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a front face view of our tool; Fig. 42 is rear view thereof,

Url? ig. 3, a longitudinal section taken as inyFig. Ll, a transverse section, taken as indicatedby line 4 4 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 5, is a perspective, view illustrating the manner in which the tool is secured to the' work for use. *f

lteferringnow to the-drawings, and first mcntary section of a typical door, on the edge ll of which our tool is shown mounted in position to serve as a guide in cutting a mortise recess-indicated in dotted lines at 12.

It is well known in carpenter work that recesses for standard type-sof mortise locks f are -cut inwardly, as indicated, from the swinging edge 1l of avdoor, to receive the body portion of the lock, after which suitable holes are bored, transversely through the door, for the insertion of the knob shafts. Heretofore, it has been the general custom to outline the surface area of the mortise, as on the swinging edge 11, by rule and pencil, after which the recess is cut by hand with a chisel. As the grain ofthe wood usually runs lengthwise of the door, and not always parallel with its oppositefaces, it is diiiicult to cut the vertical sides of the mortise opening along straight lines, as the tendency of the grain is to throw the tool off and marr the work.

Y"izo As we will later more fully explain, this part of the work is greatly simplified by the use of our tool.

The numeral 13 designates generally a main frameV or body portion, designed to carry the several moving parts; and while this may be of any suitable size and configuration necessary and of any design essential to serve this purpose, we will hereafter refer to it as the base plate. This for the reason that it is generally in the form of a plate, arranged to be set against the edge 11, of door 10, in proper position to support the gauge plates relative to the door edge.

The base plate 13 is preferably formed of a channel shape configuration, consisting of a web portion 14 and right-angularly disposed,

rearwardly extending flanges 15 and 16.

While thisl is our preferred construction, it may be readily understood, after reading the Vfollowing detailed description, that the of the door.

flanges 15 and 16, as such may be dispensed -with, and suitable rearwardly extending lugs fprovided in their stead. As shown in Fig.

1, the base plate is adapted to be secured in place against the swinging edge 11,V of the door 10, with the flange 16 engaging one face It is made of sufficient width, between the flanges 15 and 16, to fit over all standard width doors, ranging in thickness from very narrow ones, such as cupboard doors, to those of greater thickness, such as outside buildingv doors. Y

A central opening 17 is cut in the web 14 of the base plate, and this is preferably of a rectangular, oblong configuration, of sufficient width to accommodate the cutting of mortise recesses in doors of all ordinary thicknesses and of 'lengths to receive all ordinary size mortise locks.

The left vertical side 18, of the opening 17, isso fixed, with relation to the flange 16, that 'it will extend substantially on a line with the left side of the door edge 11 when the tool is applied thereto.

plain, will permit adjustment of the gauge This, as We will later explates for minimum spacing of the mortise recesses from the faces of the door. The opposite vertical side 19, of the opening 17, may likewise extend substantially in alinement with fiange15, to provide a maximum width -of opening between the gauge plates.

A pair of flat rectangular gauge plates 20 *hand 21l extend through slots 22 and 23, in -fianges 15 and 16, respectively, immediately back of the web portion 14. These have a fairly close sliding fit in the slots 22 and 23, vso'that each may be easily and independently moved relative to the base plate, yet held against unnecessary forward and rearward movement in relation thereto. Guide ways 24, in a form of right angular recesses, are cut v.along the inner edges of the plate, end portions 14, at their rear faces, in which the end edges 25 of the plates 20. and 21 slide.

desired to cut.

ways serve to maintain the inner adjacent guide edges 26 and 27, of the plates 20 and 21, respectively, parallel, and in proper aline# ment with reference to the base plate 13, and particularly the flanges 15 and 16.- rlhis insures proper vertical alinement of the mortise recesses when cut. Y

As hereinbefore stated, the guide edges 26 and 27 are preferably straight, and always disposed in alinement substantially parallel with each other, but special guide plates may be, nevertheless, supplied for certain work having inner adjacent edges which may not be parallel or which may beof a different configuration for the cutting of various shaped mortise recesses.

The guide plates 2O and 21 are releasably held in adjusted position by means of set screws 28 and 29, screw-threadedly engaging;v

in lugs 30 and 31, respectively. These bear against the outer faces of the plates 20 and 21, and hold them in clamping engagement with the opposite sides of the slots 22 and 23 and the ways 24.

The inner edges of the plate ends 142L are Y beveled, asiat 32, to provide faces on which suitable scales 33 are cut. These scales bear a fixed relation to the inner face of the flange 16, so that the inner guide edges 26 and 27 of plates 20 and 21 are closely fitted within the slots 22 and 23 and the ways 24, sufHcient to insure movement of the guide edges 26 and 27 in parallelV relation, then either one of the scales 33 may be dispensed with.

Scales v34 are provided in the outerv faces y ofthe gauge plates 2O and 21, along their inner guide edges 26 and 27, to aid in determining the length of mortiserecess it is These scales may be divided each way from ay center line V35, as shown in Fig. 1, so the length of the recess may be determined by measurement each way from itsV center.

A thumb j l mounted in the fiange 15, substantially mid way of its length, and having a knurled head 37 carries a clamp bar 38 at its inner end. This is arranged for adjustable movement laterally of the base plate `13 and with reference to the inner face 16a ofthe flange 16.

screw 36, screw-threadedly" The thumb screw 36 is swivelly connected with the clamp bar 38 by means of a reduced end 39 extending loosely through an aperture 40 therein, which forms an annular shoulder 41, engaging the outer face 42of the bar. v An enlarged head 43, seated on a counter bore 44, retains the bar on the reduced end 39. Y

The inner face 16al of the flange 16, as well as the inner face of the clamp bar 38, may be covered with a soft cushioning material 45, such as felt, rubber or leather, to -prevent marring the door faces when the tool is clamped in place. Y

In use the guide plates 20 and 21 are first set with relation to each other and to the inner face of the flange 16. The left vertical side of the opening 17 being in alinement with the inner face 16a, of the flange 16, or its distance therefrom being known and defined by the scales 33, guide plate 21 is first set with its inner guide edge 27 in position to properly deiine the left side of the opening to be cut, with reference to the left face of the door 10, as shown in Fig. 5. rlhe guide plate 20 is then set with its guide edge 26 in properly spaced relation to the guide edge 27 of plate 21. This is readily determined by reference to the scales 33. After these plates are set. their clamp screws 30 and 31, respectively, are then tightened to securely hold them in place. If it is desired to cut a mortise opening one half inch wide and four inches long in a door one inch in thickness, the gauge plate 21 is so set that its inner` guide edge 27 will be one quarter inch from the inner face of the flange 16, the thickness of the cushioning material 45, being also taken into consideration. The guide edge 26 of the plate 20, is then set one half inch from the edge 27, thus defining an opening one half inch wide in the center of the edge of the one inch door.

fter the above adjustments of the guide plates have been made, the base plate 13 is then clamped upon the edge of the door, as illustrated in Fig. 5, through the medium of the thumb screw 36 and clamp bar 38. lVhen set, the center line 35, of the scale 34 is set on what will be the center of the mortise recesses and its length determined by reference to the scales 34.

ln cutting the vertical sides of a recess, the tool, such as a chisel, may be drawn along and in close engagement with the guide edges 26 and 27, thus insuring a straight, cleancut line. The top and bottom sides of the opening may then be cut with a chisel at the proper point as determined from the scales 34. After the guide plates 20 and 2l have once been set, the tool can be used for cutting recesses in any number of doors of substantially the same thickness, insuring openings of uniform size and avoiding the necessity of measuring and ruling outlines for these openings in each instance.

In clamping the tool over the edge of the door, the flange 16, web 14 and clamp bar 33 serve to securely hold the wood against being split when cutting the recess 12.

While we have herein shown and described the preferred specific embodiment of our invention, it is, nevertheless, to be understood that we reserve the right to make such changes or modifications in structure as will properly in; marginal flanges on said plate giving it a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional configuration; clamp means in connection with one of said flanges for removably securing the plate to the work; and a pair of gauge members mounted on said plate for adjustable movement across said opening and relative to each other. i

2,. A tool of the character described, comprising a base plate having an opening therein; marginal flanges on said plate giving it a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional configuration; clamp means in connection with one of said flanges for removably securing the plate tothe work; a pair of gauge plates mounted on said base plate for adjustable movement across said opening and relative to each other; and means for releasably holding said gauge plates in adjusted position.

3. A tool of the character described, comprising a base plate having a substantially rectangular opening therein and being provided with scales along the top and bottom sides of said opening bearing a fixed relation to one face of the door when the plate is attached thereto; means for removably securing said plate to the work; and a pair of gauge plates mounted on said plate for adjustable movement across said opening and relative to each other, the inner edges of said gauge plates coinciding with the divisions ofl said scales.

4. A tool of the character described, comprising a base plate having a substantially rectangular opening therein, flanges eXtending rearwardly from opposite edges of said plate, giving it a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional configuration, a thumb screw screw-threadedly engaging in a bore in one of said flanges and carrying a clamp bar on its inner end disposed in substantially 'parallel relation to the oppositeA flange, there being scales along the top and bottom sides of said opening having a fixed relation to the flange opposite the clamp bar, gauge plates extending in parallel relation to the base plate, said plates being independently mounted for adjustable movement in relation to' each othery and across said opening, and means to releasably hold said plates in adjusted position.

5. A tool of the character described, comprising a base plate having marginal flanges which give it a substantially U-shaped crosssectional configuration and having a substantially rectangular opening therein which is provided with scales along its top an-d bottom sides having a fixed relation to one of said flanges; clamp means for releasably securing said plate to the work; gauge plates extending in parallel relation to the base plate, said llO gauge plates being independently mounted for adjustable movement in relation to each other and across said opening.; and means to releasably hold said plates in adjusted position.

6; A tool of the character described, comprising a. base plate U-shaped in cross'section, having an opening in its intermediate fic portion and apertures in its side portions, and

a pair of gauge members extending through the apertures in its side portions and adjustable across said opening relative thereto and to each other. c

7. A tool of the character described, comprising a base plate U-shape-d in cross section, having a substantially rectangular gauge opening in its intermediate portion and apertures in its side portions, a pair of gauge members extending through tlie apertures in its side portions in parallel relation With said -side and intermediate portions, said gauge members being adjustable across said opening and relative to each other, means for releasably holding said gauge plates in adjusted relation, andmeans for releasably securing said tool to the Work.

In Witness that We claim ,the foregoing We have hereunto subscribed our names this 1st day of April, 1926.

, Y WILLIAM CHALMERS. ADOLPH E. GLAUSON. 

